14 Ways to Maximize Those Black Friday Bargains

Make the most of your money on the busiest shopping day of the year.

Getty + Katja Cho

By
Amanda Greene

Oct 15, 2015

Shoppers who are brave enough to venture out on Black Friday know what all the fuss is about: Amazing deals and slashed prices make it worth the hassle of waking up at the crack of dawn and braving the crowds. But aside from the advertised deals, are there even more ways to score a bargain? We spoke to shopping experts for the best ways to save big on Black Friday. Read on to find out everything you need to know before you hit the mall.

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1Read the fine print.

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With large fonts and flashy language, Black Friday offers are designed to get your attention. But before you commit to purchasing a big ticket item, make sure you read the fine print. "We found that, a lot of the time, the savings advertised are savings off the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), which is misleading," says Christine Frietchen, editor-in-chief of ConsumerSearch.com, a product review site. She explains that because stores usually price items below the MSRP anyway, those deals aren't as great as they may seem. Other things to look out for include store limits. A retailer may advertise an amazing deal, but then specify in tiny print that it's limited to four items per store. So if you aren't among the first few shoppers in line, you can't count on scoring that bargain.

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2Don't shop online without looking for coupon codes.

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Many online retailers are offering big savings for Black Friday just like their brick and mortar counterparts. Jeanette Pavini, consumer finance expert for Coupons.com advises shoppers never to click "purchase" until they've first searched for a coupon or discount code. She recommends Coupons.com and CouponMom.com to find deals like free shipping, 10 percent off or buy one, get one free at retailers like Sephora, Best Buy and Barnes & Noble. Shopping in person? Bring ads or printouts of deals advertised online to the store to give you bargaining power. This year, many stores will price match, so long as you have proof.

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3Shop with cash.

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Want to really save money on Black Friday? Leave the credit cards at home, suggests Pavini. Not only will you avoid paying the interest that will accrue if you can't pay off the balance in full, but it also helps you stay within your budget and avoid post-holiday debt. "Studies have shown that shoppers spend 25 percent less if they pay with cash," Pavini says.

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4Keep your receipts.

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What seems like a must-have item on Black Friday may turn out to be a mistake purchase once the excitement of the day wears off. "Even with the great deal you're getting, by the time the holiday comes and goes, your item or gift may be discounted even more," says Joanie Demer, cofounder of TheKrazyCouponLady.com. "In case it needs to be returned, you want to get full credit back."

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5Stay focused.

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Major deals are advertised to get you into the store, but not every single item will be a major sale. "They put the great bargains at the back of the store so you have to walk through everything else to get to them," says Frietchen. It helps to shop with a list—and a budget—so you aren't distracted by everything you come across. Also good to keep in mind: Most people turn right upon entering a store, making that lane the most highly trafficked in the store. "Generally people carry items with their left hand and interact with the merchandise with their right hand," says Underhill. For that reason, the most desirable products are placed in these zones. So if you're after the high-demand goods, brave the crowds on the right, but if you'd rather have space to browse, veer left and move through the store clockwise.

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6Bring your smartphone with you.

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There are plenty of apps created specifically to help holiday shoppers get the best deals. Black Friday App, available for iPhones and Androids, lets you browse "leaked" ads from over 60 major retailers, organizing the offers all in one place so you can comparison shop or search for specific items when you're on the go. If you don't have a smartphone you can still use the Web to find deals: Starting November 22 Amazon.com/BlackFriday will feature major bargains leading up to Black Friday through Cyber Monday.

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7Follow through once Black Friday is over.

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Many great deals require you to mail in rebates in order to cash in on the savings. If you pick up one of these items, remember to actually do the extra few minutes of paperwork—otherwise, you didn't save a thing. "Manufacturers count on people forgetting to mail in their rebates," says Pavini. "Make sure you get copies of the original receipt, the UPC Codes and any other information the manufacturer needs. Then, mail it in!"

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8Time is money.

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Plan which stores you're going to for time-sensitive deals. Check circulars and websites to find out when stores have their best sales, and plan your shopping route accordingly. Many stores, like Target, have already posted their sale information online. But beware: Getting the better price, if it takes all day, may not save you money in the long run. "We found that a smaller electronics store is selling the same Flip Video camera as a bunch of other stores for a good $25 more," says Howard Schaffer, Vice President at Offers.com. That may seem like a bad deal, but "you can get in and out of a smaller store in 10 minutes versus going to Best Buy for the cheapest item where it can take you 10 minutes just to park." Losing time in line at a big box store may mean you're missing out on other deals—so spending an extra $25 at a smaller store could mean extra time to save more on other purchases.

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9Think beyond big ticket items.

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It can be easy to get blinded by flashy deals on flat-screen televisions and video game systems. But according to Teri Gault, coauthor of Shop Smart, Save More, there are many ways to save all year long—if you think beyond the holidays. "Remember that there are other events like birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day that will eventually come around," she says. "Look for smaller ticket items in less heavily trafficked stores. Not only will you likely get a deal, you'll be set for the rest of the year."

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10Think beyond Black Friday.

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If you're tempted to open a store credit card to get extra savings on that washer and dryer duo, think twice. "Store credit cards are usually higher than bank cards. On average, a store card is between 21 and 24 percent. Some cards will increase that rate up to 30% if you are late on a payment," says Pavini. Really think about whether a bargain now or good credit later matters most.

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11Get a good night's sleep.

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According to Paco Underhill, author of Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping, when you shop tired, you are more impulsive and make more compromises. Most people's prime shopping time is 10:30 a.m. Of course, if you're going for a big-ticket item you'll have to hit the stores much earlier, but if you're planning to do a wide sweep, aim for 10:30.

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12Don't be afraid to bargain.

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Store associates have been given permission to respond to some negotiating," says Underhill. So if you find something you like that has, say, a scratch or tear, try asking for a discount. Chances are you won't be laughed out of the store.

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13Try it on.

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Many shoppers assume that dressing rooms will be mobbed, so they wind up coming home with ill-fitting clothing. However, because holiday shoppers are usually on the hunt for gifts for other people, dressing rooms may not be packed.

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14If you like it, grab it.

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Shoppers often mistakenly believe that there's more stock "in the back." Not usually. "Generally, stores follow an 80/20 split between display and storage," says Underhill. Even if you're on the fence about a product, place it in your cart and decide later.

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